90-Second Read: Chicago Tonight | What to Know About Hantavirus Following Deadly Cruise Ship Outbreak | Season 2026

Public health officials in Illinois reported a suspected Hantavirus case in Winnebago County this week, unrelated to the cruise ship outbreak. Chicago Tonight is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, LG TV, and Vizio. Murphy, what was your reaction to the word of this outbreak on the in behind us when you learned about it? Many are wondering about risks, response efforts and how to prepare for emerging diseases.

It's 15 to 18 times more common then in the United States, we have about 30 cases per year in the United States. However, we've had 8 cases in Illinois, including the one you just mentioned that was in the Rockford area and Winnebago County. We haven't any cases of that and people Illinois, but recently cases, the wild birds you're in the state. GPB helps your community explore new worlds and ideas through programs that educate, inform and inspire.

This has many wondering about the risk, Illinois and space. The response efforts and how people can better prepare for emerging diseases. And Dr William Sander, a professor of preventative medicine and public health at the University of Illinois. So strip Iris is not real transmitted by most of the rodents that we have here in the Chicago area.

We have a lot of road and struggles known for its rat population. Brandon Johnson Reflects on 3 Years in Office, Priorities Moving Forward WTTW News senior reporter Heather Cherone sat down with Chicago's mayor. Are there other health concerns that come up because of the interaction between humans and wildlife that could occur even locally?